The brides (II)

Li Jun couldn't sleep even the morning comes. He send a letter to the Marquis Huang. The Marquis come swiftly with apologise. He goes into his daughter's room. They have a shouting match in the room. LI Kang wakes up with pain all over his body. He see his mother's cheeks are red. He is angry and storm off to the bride room. Lady Ban, Banou and Aylin rush behind Li Kang. Li Kang seeing his new father in law, he bow. 

"My son, i am sorry that i fail to discipline this awful daughter of mine. From young she have been spoilt. My wife allow her to do a lot of things that i don't agree on. Yet i don't have the time to discipline her."

"Father, i want to go home. I already told you i don't want to get marry!"

"You don't have a saying in this matter! Since ancient times, children's life and marriage is decided by the parents! You are no acceptation! Besides that you already married!"

"Marquis Huang, i think i agree with this girl. It is best to divorce."

The Marquis look shock. The new bride suddenly feel that she is at a disadvantage. Lady Ban quickly walk near her son she look at him and shake her head. Li Kang is holding his anger. 

"My mother, Lady Ban have received a slap last night. As a mother in law, she did not receive a cup of tea but received a slap on the face instead. Marquis, look at my mother's cheeks and tell me i am wrong to ask for divorce!"

"She ask for it! She ..." Rou Rou receive a slap on her cheek from her father and landed on the floor. She look at him with anger. 

"She is your mother in law and older than you! How dare...!"

"You all are bad people! Everyone is against me!"

Marquis bow to Li Kang and Lady Ban. He said loudly 

"Today i will bring her home! Its my family bad luck for not getting in the Duke and Prince Jun's good grace!" 

In the late afternoon, the new bride Rou Rou is drag out to the carriage. She is yelling and screaming at her father. Everyone is shaking their heads. While on the other hand, the new bride Mei Hua is a gentle and sweet girl who wins everyone's hearts. She listens to the elders on most affairs. She is also polite to Banou and they talk about literature poems of the Chinese culture and the Arab culture. Everyone but Lady Ban agree that Li Kang married a good wife. Mei Hua is also trying to be close to Li Ning since Li Kang constantly talk about his little sister. 

A month pass, LI Kang is still married to two women. Maquis Huang have visited the prince mansion a few times to asked LI Kang not to divorce his daughter. He promised to discipline her from that day onwards till the Duke mansion is ready to be move in, she will move there with proper manners. Besides that Rou Rou's coming of age is in two years time. The Marquis is hoping by then, she will be mature and able to think properly. 

Nine months pass in a blink of an eye, Mei Hua have given birth in the prince mansion a baby boy. Li Jun who loved children is happy and sad and the same time. He is a grandfather now.

"My Prince, at least you are a young and handsome grandfather! Who in this capital would be so lucky like you to be a grandfather at this age!" 

"That is true! Father, you are still the handsome man of the Great Tang Dynasty!"

"Banou say something..."Whisper Consort Wu.

"Master, being a grandfather at this age is not a bad thing. You can still play with the little one unlike the rest of the grandfathers who can't move but still around and look at the children play." 

Li Jun light up and smile. He cradle the little one in his arms. 

"That is correct. Just two years, he can run so i can chase after him. I am only in my late forty. Don't have any white hair. My skin is still smooth and nice. I am indeed a handsome grandfather." 

A decree comes from the palace for LI Ning. She is invited to the palace to stay for the lessons to begin for her preparing as a foreign bride. In three days, she prepare and move in. That day, the snow is heavy. The little baby is crying loud as if he knows that his aunt is leaving the family. Everyone is not happy but glad that she is still going to be in the palace. Consort Wu and Banou promise her they will visit within three days. LI Ning dress warmly and follow the eunuch into to the royal carriage. She lift up the curtain to look at her family as the carriage move away. Her brother cry as if she is married off and never to see her again. 

As promise, Consort Wu and Banou along with the younger sisters come to visit Li Ning. They are awe at the big room she have. The maids and eunuchs hourly warm the room with coal. Hot tea is serve every hour too. 

"Lady Ban Nu, will you come on the day that i marry off?"

Banou hold Li Ning's hand and ensure that she will be there. 

"I will bring Li Bo along too. I am sure that he wants to see you before you marry off. "

"Consort Wu, please take care of Li Bo. He is a boy who speaks without thinking. He might bring trouble to you. Please help him with your kind heart. I thank you form my bottom of my heart. I will repay your kindness the next life." 

LI Ning bow down deep to consort Wu. Consort Wu hold Li Ning's arm to help her up. "It is my duty to help the children of Prince Jun. I am his official wife. I maybe young but i know my way around this world. Don't worry. He is like a brother that i never have and you are my sister that i never have too. I will protect you all as much as i can."

"I will leave him in both of your care. Lady Ban Nu, thank you for caring for me all this while. Please care for my brother too."

Banou hold her hands too.